Black Cats are in safe hands with £9m Roefs

WHEN it comes to Dutch goalkeepers in the Premier League, Robin Roefs is putting himself in good company.

- By NICK LOUGHLIN

Sunderland's new shot stopper has arrived from NEC Nijmegen, for an initial fee of around £9m, with £2.5m to follow in add-ons.

“It's nice to be in the Premier League and it is a dream coming true to play there and I am really happy now I am able to say I am playing Premier League football,” admitted the 22-year-old.

“I have watched Edwin van der Saar, a big name in Holland and England. Also Bart Verbruggen who did a really great job at Brighton for his age and also he is the first choice goalkeeper for our country.”

Roefs has signed a five-year deal. He made 33 appearances in the Dutch topflight last season, keeping 10 clean sheets, and is likely to start the season as first-choice. He could be given a quick introduction to Sunderland against Real Betis at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

He added: “It feels good to be here and a dream to play in the Premier League at such a big club with such a big history.

“As a goalkeeper I would say I like to play aggressive, come off my line for crosses, to play with the ball and be calm always.

“Last season was my first as a first choice goalkeeper and I was really happy with how it went. The stats were good at the end of the season.”